The DC Universe is riding high right now, but it’s about to walk a dangerous line that could alienate its audience. Kicking off with Creature Commandos seemed like an odd choice at first—after all, it wasn’t exactly a high-profile project. Yet, James Gunn knew exactly what he was doing. Creature Commandos sets the stage for the entire DCU, emphasizing that it’s the flaws of its characters that make them truly compelling. This theme carries over into Superman, which takes a bold new approach by portraying the iconic hero as vulnerable. In a daring move, the film introduces Superman’s DCU journey with a defeat—a brutal encounter with the Hammer of Boravia—before he gains control in Metropolis.
Gunn is no stranger to showcasing his characters’ struggles. The Guardians of the Galaxy films are a masterclass in this, following a ragtag group that constantly messes up. Yet, through self-reflection, they discover their potential to do good, even saving the galaxy. These films are among the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s best, but like their flawed heroes, they’re far from perfect. The latest installment, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, takes this to an extreme, and the DCU is now poised to follow suit—for better or worse.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 doesn’t hold back. The team starts the film reeling from loss: Gamora, their moral compass, died in Avengers: Infinity War, and most of them were erased for five years. Upon their return, they face a new, less friendly version of Gamora. Their return to Knowhere was meant to be a fresh start, but instead, tragedy strikes. An attack by Adam Warlock leaves Rocket fighting for his life, a heartbreaking moment on its own. But that’s just the beginning.
As Rocket clings to life, he’s haunted by visions of his past. We learn he was once an ordinary raccoon from Earth, experimented on by the High Evolutionary. Rocket bonded with other animal test subjects, dreaming of freedom, only to watch them all die during a failed escape attempt. While emotionally charged moments are a hallmark of Gunn’s work, watching animals suffer is particularly tough, making Vol. 3 one of the MCU’s least rewatchable films. Now, the DCU is set to tread similar ground, with Gunn promising a film just as emotionally intense.
Enter Supergirl, which threatens to take things even further. The DCU’s beloved mascot, Krypto, is by Superman’s side in the 2025 film, aiding in the battle against Lex Luthor. But Krypto doesn’t escape unscathed—he’s injured when Luthor’s henchmen invade the Fortress of Solitude. This moment nearly went darker, as an early version of Superman included a scene where Ultraman punches Krypto, which was cut after negative test audience reactions. Yet, Krypto’s troubles aren’t over.
The first trailer for Craig Gillespie’s Supergirl shows Krypto looking downtrodden, with Kara Zor-El by his side, clearly concerned. The film adapts Tom King’s acclaimed comic Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, where Krypto is struck by a poison arrow. If this makes it to the screen, Krypto’s life will be in real danger, and Kara will stop at nothing to save him—much like Peter Quill in Vol. 3. It’s a compelling story, but given Gunn’s track record, it risks crossing the line into overly grim territory, potentially making Supergirl a challenging watch. While the DCU has earned some goodwill, it’s about to test its audience’s limits.
Supergirl hits theaters on June 26, 2026.
But here’s where it gets controversial: Is the DCU pushing too hard for emotional depth, or is this exactly what the franchise needs to stand out? And this is the part most people miss: While audiences crave relatable, flawed heroes, there’s a fine line between vulnerability and overexposure. Does Gunn’s approach enhance storytelling, or does it risk alienating viewers with its intensity?
What do you think? Is the DCU taking the right path, or is it going too far? Leave a comment below and join the conversation in the ComicBook Forum!
